School Board Okays Early AHS Graduate

The Archbold Area School board approved granting a high school diploma to Stephen Mc- Cullough during its Monday night, Dec. 17 board meeting.

Tim Meister, Archbold High School principal, said Mc- Cullough completed his graduation requirements early, but was waiting on the results of the Ohio Graduation Test. He took the test over the summer, but results weren't available until October.

"He worked hard at it. We're very proud of him," Meister said.

Calendar Change

The board also accepted recommended changes to the guidelines for the school calendar.

David Deskins, district superintendent, said in the past, the school annual spring break vacation fell during the week the Ohio Department of Education scheduled for the Ohio Graduation Test. This guideline called for spring break to be held during the first week following Easter.

Deskins said in the past, the education department had granted wavers, allowing the school district to administer the test on a different date.

However, Deskins said state officials have taken a different stand on waivers of the OGT testing dates.

"Last year, they frowned upon it heavily," he said.

For 2008, the department of education announced they will no longer grant waivers.

A committee, made up of both teachers and administrators, studied the issue and recommended moving spring break to the first week after Easter.

That week follows a week of OGT testing.

Students must pass all five portions of the OGT test to receive a high school diploma.

The calendar issue was part of the board's consensus agenda. David Yoder, board president, recommended changing the wording of the original agenda from "adopting" the recommendation to "accepting" the change.

Yoder said the board needs to be in control of school district policy decisions.

"We do not adopt policy," he said.

Exec Session

The school board met in executive session for about 2 1/2 hours Monday.

Stated reason for the closeddoor session was conducting the treasurer's evaluation and considering employee compensation. No action resulted from the executive session.

All members were present, all votes unanimous.- David Pugh